Mortality data: Driving health research forward

Learn how the MarketScan Mortality Database can help generate insights, examine trends and signals, and inform decisions on study design and future studies.

Real-world data (RWD), including administrative claims databases and electronic health records (EHRs), have played a critical role in informing treatment guidelines and improving patient outcomes. However, to truly advance population health, we need to better understand mortality. Despite being one of the most objectively measurable endpoints in research, finding quality, research-grade mortality data can be a challenge.

To address this need, we are proud to introduce the MarketScan® Mortality Database. This new database integrates vital mortality data, including the year and month of death, with detailed enrollment and claims data found in the MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Databases. Researchers and healthcare professionals can now evaluate mortality as a potential outcome in various studies, enhancing the depth and breadth of their research. These insights support a wide range of healthcare and research organizations working on regulatory processes, epidemiological research, and health economics and outcomes research (HEOR).

See how CDC and Dana-Farber use mortality data

Through the understanding of death rate, time to death, and cause of death, investigators can:

• Determine the end reason of study follow-up
• Evaluate population health trends and access to care
• Compare the effect of treatment on patient survival
• Identify factors predictive of death-related outcomes
• Estimate healthcare costs leading up to disease-related death

Request access

With a license to the enhanced Mortality Database, researchers can access mortality data from two separate sources: Inpatient death from hospital discharge status and the Social Security Administration (SSA) Death Master File (DMF). The DMF compiles death data on SSA beneficiaries in the United States from family members, funeral homes, financial institutions, postal authority, States, and Federal agencies.¹

MarketScan data is known for providing robust, longitudinal views for generating insights, examining trends and signals, and informing decisions on study design and future studies. For example, one can generate initial statistics on death associated with disease progression for a patient cohort over time or compare mortality outcomes between two treatment regimens and assess whether significant differences are likely to be detected. These insights can inform future real-world evidence (RWE) generation strategies.

We have served the research community for over 30 years, providing research-grade closed claims with actual cost data. In addition to the core Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid Databases, we also offer specialty datasets such as Linked Claims + EHR, Health and Productivity Management, Lab, Health Risk Assessment, Dental, and Benefit Plan Design are also available. Our specialty databases are part of our continued effort to meet the ever-evolving needs of healthcare research. To learn more about the data or how we help with mortality studies and regulatory submissions, please chat with a MarketScan expert.

Sources

1. Social Security. Requesting SSA's Death Information, SSA's Death Information. https://www.ssa.gov/dataexchange/request_dmf.html